Giant robots have always been a theme in movies like Transformers or games like Titanfall up until now. Even though artificial intelligence and robotic technologies are quite advanced today, there wasn’t a product of such gigantic proportions available. That is, until now. Tsubame Industries, leveraging the power of advancing technology, has developed a 4.5-meter-tall (14.8-foot) four-wheeled called ARCHAX with a price tag of $3 million.

Japan’s $3 Million Transformers Robot ARCHAX, The Closest Thing Yet to Real Life

In today’s world, if you have enough money, you can buy almost anything. Moreover, the number of things you can purchase is continually increasing. The latest addition to this list is the “transformers” robot named ARCHAX, created by a Japanese startup called Tsubame Industries. ARCHAX features a cockpit with monitors that display images from cameras positioned on the robot’s exterior. This allows you to sit safely inside the cockpit and battle your “evil” adversaries.

The pilot uses joysticks to control the robot’s arms and hands. ARCHAX also has two modes: upright “robot mode” and “vehicle mode,” in which it can travel up to 10 kilometers per hour. ARCHAX is currently being sold for $3 million. The startup plans to build and sell five of the machines. However, the CEO of Tsubame Industries, Ryo Yoshida, has also said that he hopes that the robot could one day be used for disaster relief or in the space industry.

Of course, buying ARCHAX doesn’t solve all your problems. Depending on the regulations of your country, taking this wheeled robot into a public space might cause you issues. But if you consider that you’ve spent $3 million on a new robot, this might not be a significant concern. If Optimus could do it, I’m sure ARCHAX can too.

Jokes aside, it’s still too early to say how the robot will be used in the future. However, its development indicates that human-piloted robots are becoming more viable, and they might significantly influence society in the upcoming years. Although it seems like an expensive toy for now, who knows? Maybe one day we’ll see giant robots genuinely performing superhero feats and battling.

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(via)

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In a move set to transform the constantly-evolving food delivery industry, Uber Eats and Serve Robotics have officially announced their plans to introduce robot food delivery services in major cities across the United States starting in 2026. This joint venture aims to revolutionize the way meals are delivered to customers, providing an automated, seamless and efficient experience.

The robots can go 40 kilometres on a single charge

Serve Robotics, an independent company that broke off from Uber’s business, has developed a four-wheeled robot powered by advanced AI technology for precise path planning. With a remarkable battery life of approximately 40 kilometres, these robots can transport packages weighing up to 23 kilograms, effectively catering to a wide range of delivery needs. Each robot is capable of managing multiple orders daily, ensuring swift and reliable service.

Uber has pledged its commitment to achieving a zero-carbon emission delivery platform by 2040, and the integration of robot deliveries plays a pivotal role in this mission. As part of the service, Uber Eats customers will soon have the option to choose robot delivery for their meals. Once the robot reaches the specified destination, the customer can securely retrieve their order by entering a password, ensuring a seamless and safe experience.

Field testing of robot food delivery services has already commenced in California, marking a significant milestone in the journey toward a fully automated delivery system. Building on this success, Uber plans to expand its partnership with Serve Robotics to include additional cities in 2026. San Jose, California, Dallas, Texas, and Vancouver, Canada are among the locations expected to witness the deployment of up to 2,000 delivery robots.

While the introduction of robot food delivery services holds great promise, there are several potential challenges that these robots may face in urban environments. One significant issue is navigating complex city streets and crowded sidewalks. The robots need to safely maneuver through various obstacles such as pedestrians, cyclists, and vehicles, while adhering to traffic rules. Additionally, they must accurately identify and reach specific delivery locations, which can be challenging in densely populated areas with high-rise buildings and intricate addresses. Moreover, there is the concern of potential theft or vandalism of the robots and their cargo, which may require robust security measures.

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Boston Dynamics is a world leader in robotics. The company designs and manufactures robots of varying capabilities and exceptional design. The company is based out of Waltham, Massachusetts and was founded back in 1992. The team of talented engineers have previously manufactured robots named BigDog, Spot, Stretch and Handle. In their latest video, the organization depicted how their Atlas robot can perform complex humanoid actions to near perfection.

The humanlike robot was able to navigate rugged terrain with ease while walking on two legs, very much like a human. Through a complex array of sensors and cameras, it maps its surroundings and perceives obstacles. However, in the latest video, the robot can be seen picking up a plank and creating a bridge to walk between two platforms. It does so while holding onto a toolkit. Atlas then effortlessly walks across the thin plank and tosses the toolkit to the person on top of the scaffolding. The company refers to this motion as an inverted 540-degree, multi-axis flip. But it doesn’t stop there; the robot does a backflip off the platform before landing perfectly on its feet again. 

A demo such as this depicts how humanoid robots such as Atlas are capable of performing tasks too dangerous for humans, such as working at extreme heights or carrying materials through an area too toxic or narrow for a human. Search and Rescue operations can be simplified to a higher degree with the implementation of robots. They can even be used to maintain and inspect infrastructure, such as pipelines and bridges. Human casualties can be minimized this way. Sure, there is a dilemma regarding replacing human workers with robots, but doing so for perilous tasks is nothing but a step towards increasing the value placed on human life.

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(Source)

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In a clear indication of the transformation going on across the world in the use of robots, a Singapore-based tech firm has begun a pilot program to deploy robots for home delivery of groceries in a part of the city. OTSAW Digital manufactured two robots dubbed Camello delivery robots and deployed them for the pilot run with their combined coverage of grocery supplies put at 700 households. The one-year pilot run was conceptualized as a possible solution to meeting a surge in demands of fundamental essentials at specific periods, which may mean that several households may be starved of vital supplies.

The robots were fitted with several gadgets and technology that enable them to remain thoroughly disinfected during their delivery sessions to users who would have pre-ordered their groceries via an app. The user is notified when the robots, both named Camello, are approaching their vicinity, and the goods are collected from a predefined collection point.

The robots can carry loads up to 20kg, work on weekdays and Saturdays, and it has become a spectacle for residents. In a statement by OTSAW Digital’s CEO, Ling Ting Ming, the robots use ultraviolet light to disinfect themselves after every trip.

The robots are currently being accompanied by the tech firm staff but are capable of autonomous activities. The residents of the part of the city serviced by the robots expressed varied feelings on their new “grocery delivery guys”. While some residents are thrilled by the delivery robots, others feel it may be too much for the elderly to cope with the technology.

The coronavirus pandemic has further revealed more applications of robots to carry out several conventional jobs of humans. Recently in Japan, robots were deployed to deliver COVID-19 test kits and collect samples of persons who wanted to test for the virus. A Swiss company also deployed a UV spraying robot to disinfect the interior of a passenger aircraft.

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(source)

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South Korean automaker Hyundai Motor Group has agreed to buy a controlling stake in US robot firm, Boston Dynamics from SoftBank Group Corp in a deal worth $1.1 billion.

In a statement released on Friday (via), Hyundai said the purchase would fast track its expansion plans in the automation of its vehicle assembling processes in its factories and production of autonomous cars, drones, and robots, as it pursues transformation from a carmaker to a broader mobility service provider.

Hyundai said the deal, which involves a new share issue, would give the company and its Chief Executive a combined 80% stake in Boston Dynamics, with Softbank retaining 20%.

Newly promoted Hyundai Motor Group Chairman Euisun Chung sees the future business direction of the company would be a mix of traditional car manufacturing, robotics, and urban air transportation in the ratio of 50%:20%:30%.

Chung will own a 20% stake in Boston Dynamics, while Hyundai Motor and its affiliates Hyundai Mobis and Hyundai Glovis will have a combined 60% holding in the new firm.

Softbank Group Chief Executive Masayoshi Son said the partnership with Hyundai Motor Group would accelerate the robot maker’s path to commercialization.

Boston Dynamics was an offshoot of Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1992 and has changed hands from MIT to Google in 2013 and then to SoftBank in 2017. It chalked up a net loss of $103 million in 2020, following declines from previous years. The transaction, subject to regulatory approvals and other considerations, is expected to be concluded by mid-2021.

For Hyundai Motor Group, this is the latest move in a seemingly well-choreographed lineup of deals under Chung, who had pledged to transform the automaker into a mobility provider.

Hyundai Motor Group announced in January 2020 that it had partnered with Uber to develop electric air taxis, although it would seem the venture was not productive, as Uber said this week it plans to sell its loss-making flying taxi unit to Joby Aviation.

UP NEXT: Samsung patents a clamshell foldable phone design with zero-gap hinge & larger cover display

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Huawei recently opened a flagship store in China and plans to open multiple experience stores in the UK. However, it’s new Customer Service Center in China is the first based on a ‘New Service Model’. It has features like Gaming Arena, Face-Face Engineer interaction, Automated Robots, and more.

Huawei’s President of Consumer Business Mobile, He Gang, posted details(via Sina Tech) along with images of the new Service Center(Pacific Century Center). Accordingly, it is located close to the Sanlitun business district, Beijing, China.  What’s unique about this center is it’s the company’s first in terms of an overall User Experience Model.

He Gang says that the company’s Huawei Academy also enters the Service Center Arena for the first time. That is, a new Gameplay Arena to entice users who can also have a look at Huawei products in a full-screen. According to the reports, the Service Center has four big screens at the entrance. This is for knowing appointments, and other options under category to explore the center with a tap of a button.

Moving on, as you enter the Center, you are greeted with a Huawei logo, and after that, there are different sections. You can take a look at the features of the Service Center below:

• Touch-and-go appointment system
• A Game Play Arena
• Visitor’s Lounge(Free Coffee, Reading books)
• Huawei Experience booth(real-world Experience of Products)
• Huawei Classroom(where an executive explains the product)

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EDITOR’S PICK: OnePlus Nizam Palace is the company’s Largest Experience Store Globally in Hyderabad

Face-Face Engineer Interaction, Automated Robots

However, the highlight of the new Service center is its New Service Model. As per this model, users can now get a Face-Face interaction with Engineers/Experts eliminating a middle man. This means they can enquire repair plans, interact about spare parts & their prices, and observe the entire process as it’s done. OnePlus has a similar method in its experience stores as well.

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Besides, the Service Center also has a bunch of Automated Robots. These not only replace the manpower at the intermediate sections but also are reportedly efficient. Precisely, they commute between the service area and spare parts room. Additionally, they also perform tasks like spare parts search, collection, maintenance, and registration thereby reducing time.

That said, this is not the only center of Huawei equipped with robots. The company already has an unmanned Store where a Robotic Arm takes care of the goods.

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We have seen a whole dog robot, a medic robot, and various other robots for different works, but the Pumpkii Robot is designed for something unconventional. The new Robot from Pumpkii, a talented group of engineers and pet lovers has built a new exceptional robot that can be your pet’s best companion. Pumpkii Robot has the ability to clean and entertain pets including both dogs and cats. The useful robot is soon going to be available from Indiegogo at a super early bird price of $99. However, it will retail for the price of $229 once officially out of the funding phase.  You can know more details about the Pumpkii Robot over at Indiegogo, or can he’s Dover to the official website for detailed specifications.

Must See: Unitree A1 Robot competes against Boston Dynamics’ Robots and costs less than $10K

Pumpkii Robots make you free from your pet worries by facilitating them when you’re out for work. It features every useful feature that helps to take care of your pets effectively.

PumpKii Robot is a multifunctional machine that can perform various features from rewarding pets on task accomplishment, to watching and talking with them live via the inbuilt camera and mic. Remote assistance using the Pumpkii app from anywhere around the globe. Moreover, it can effectively clean the pet’s waste and can even cleanse the litter box itself.

PumpKii Robot is fitted with a wheeled base, high-definition IP camera, external apparatus like treat pod, robotic arm, teasing faster, and much more. The availability of a software development kit and open hardware interface opens the door for endless opportunities.

Reward Pets with Treats

Your pet is lazy or keeps sitting in the same place for hours? Then the PumpKii robot’s feature of rewarding would help you to make them more energetic and active. The robot houses a treat pod that can be filled with different treats aka food items or some playing material. You can treat your pets with these items on the accomplishment of any tasks or freely using an intuitive application on your smartphone.

Ability to talk and watch your pets

If you’re missing your pet while working in the office or during your vacations. Then, you can easily chat with your friend using the inbuilt cameras of Pumpkii robot. The inbuilt app helps the robot to make movements and check your pets in any chore of your house.

Automatic Clean Litter Box

The robotic arm at the base helps it to get rid of the litter and even empties the litter box. The whole process is automatic and the user need not to interfere in any way.

Overall, it is an innovative Robot that helps to relapse you from some pet duties a keeps you stress-free when you are away from your pets. You can subscribe the Pumpkii Robot at its Indiegogo project page for an early bird price of $99.

Related: Roborock T7 Pro Robot Vacuum cleaner with dual-5MP surveillance cameras launched

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The 2017 edition of the World Robot Conference is proof that robots are not only useful in the sciences but also in the arts.

The conference which took place in Beijing between 23rd to 27th August covered the various developments going on in the robotics world as well as their applications. For those who attended, their minds must have been blown away by three robots whose demonstrations show that the arts are not left out of robot domination.

First is TeoTronico, a robot with 53 fingers dressed in a suit and tie, that performed a piece from Mozart to listeners. TeoTronico was built in Italy and can not only play the piano but can also talk, sing, and have conversations while making facial expressions.

According to Peter Chang, the Chinese representative of the company that built it, “the robot serves as a musical education assistant, giving some insight for music learners”. He also said that the version at the conference is the third generation, as the fourth one in Europe can even compose music.

Another robot that made an appearance is Saidaqian, built by the Shenzhen Academy of Robotics. You could say TeoTronico is to Beethoven as Saidaqian is to da Vinci. Do note that we are not directly comparing these robots to these great men but just linking the similarities in what they do.

Saidaqian’s job is to sketch portraits of visitors and it does that in about 5 minutes. Just like TeoTronico, it is dressed to reflect its profession which is a street artist. There is a peaked beret on its head as well as a pair of glasses. It also rocks a mustache.

Images to be drawn are sent to its system, once received, it begins to draw. Saidaqian can be used in galleries, museums, or malls to teach art or attract customers.

The academy said it has sold two robots, each costing ¥300,000 ($45,000) and also rents out its robots for ¥8000 per month ($1200). If you are planning an exhibition, you may want to invite Saidaqian has a guest artist. Its presence may just help boost publicity.

The last and equally interesting robot is Dobot Magician. Unlike the other two which are sort of humanoid, Dobot Magician is a robotic arm but one that writes traditional Chinese calligraphy. Yes, the Dobot Magician may help preserve this ancient work of art.

This is not the robot’s first public outing as it also appeared at the 2017 Spring Festival Gala online broadcast. Dobot Magician can not only write but “can also be used for 3D printing and laser engraving” says Xiang Haibing, regional manager of Shenzhen Yeujiang Technology, the company that made it.

Now that robots are in one of the most important fields known to man, does it mean humans in that field risk losing their jobs?According to some human artists, the answer is no.

Qiu Zhijie is the president of the School of Experimental Art at China Central Academy of Fine Arts and he said “Robots don’t have creativity. When an artist sees beautiful scenery, he may immediately make a sketch, paint an artwork 20 years later, or just write a poem about what he saw.”

“When we see his work, we can recall his experience and be moved by his feelings”. Mr Zhijie believes the same can’t be said for a robot’s work. That may be right for now or for things like a song or a musical composition, but for paintings it may be harder to tell if it is done by a human or a robot.

READ MORE: JD.com Tests Motorized Robot For Deliveries in Universities

Chinese painter Jia Xiaoning sums it up in a sentence. He said “The biggest difference between humans and robots is that we have life and emotions.”

What do you think about robots in the arts? Should painters and composers be worried? Let’s know what you think.

(Source)

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Everyone knows Foxconn. You currently have a device or have owned one that was manufactured by the Taiwanese contract company. You also must have heard about the cases of workers committing suicide and news of poor working conditions that has originated from the company in recent years.

It appears the company wants to put a stop to the negative publicity it has been getting hence the reason for installing robots in some of its factories. According to Taipei-based Central News Agency, the group has installed 40,000 robots that will handle manufacturing jobs in some of its factories.

A statement from the General Manager of Foxconn’s automation technology department, Dai Chia Peng, says the robots dubbed Foxbots are being rolled out from the company’s plants in Taiwan, Shenzhen, and Jingzhen with robot production reaching about 10,000 units a year.

The robots are already present in a number of factories in China such as an industrial base in Zhengzhou, a tablet plant in Chengdu, and two plants in Kunshan and Jiashan that make computer products and peripherals.

At this rate, chances are that in less than a decade most if not all of Foxconn’s factory workers will have been replaced with robots. Additional report says the company has already cut 60,000 jobs in Kushan.

READ MORE: Ulefone is Planning a Dual-camera Device

Now that labour laws are getting strict and workers are revolting against low wages and  poor working conditions, Chinese companies are starting to shift to automation. Let’s hope the robots don’t revolt someday.

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